Role Of Anomaly Scan In Pregnancy

What is an anomaly scan?

An anomaly scan, also known as an anatomy scan, is an extensive ultrasound procedure performed between the 18th and 23rd weeks of pregnancy. During this ultrasound, the development of the baby is examined. The body parts examined are the kidneys, neck, brain, spine, arms, legs, hands, nose, chin, lips, lungs, chest, intestines, and stomach.

Key takeaways

• An anomaly scan is a comprehensive ultrasound that looks for structural abnormalities in the fetus and is performed between weeks 18 and 22 of pregnancy.
• It aids in evaluating the anatomy of the umbilical cord, placental position, amniotic fluid levels, growth characteristics, and fetal development.
• Primary congenital conditions, including heart problems, neural tube defects, cleft lip, and anomalies of the limbs or abdomen, can be found during the scan.
• Additionally, it helps with fetal sex confirmation (if allowed), multiple pregnancy identification, and, in the event of problems, the planning of additional testing or delivery.

Also Read: Pregnancy Symptoms in Urdu

The anomaly scan procedure

Here’s a step-by-step look into how an anomaly scan is performed:

1. You may be asked to drink three to four glasses of water before the appointment. This can help enhance the resolution of ultrasound images.
2. You’ll be asked to lie down while a gel is applied to your abdomen.
3. A scanning device, known as the transducer, is moved across your abdomen.
4. The transducer releases high-frequency sound waves to form images of the baby on the screen.
5. The time for the ultrasound depends on the baby’s movement and position.
6. The procedure is painless; however, if you feel any pain, report to your doctor.

What does an anomaly scan do?

An anomaly scan examines the baby’s development and identifies any abnormality in organs like the heart, kidneys, brain, limbs, and spine. It assesses the baby’s growth and the position of the placenta and examines whether it corresponds with the gestational age.

What is the role of an anomaly scan?

An anomaly scan provides extensive and comprehensive details about the development of the baby’s organs and informs you about the health of the baby. It helps you to have a detailed overview of baby development and enables you to make an informed decision for yourself and your baby.

The role of an anomaly scan is as follows:

Position of the placenta and its complications

An anomaly scan checks where the placenta is and how it looks. Conditions like placenta previa (placenta covering the cervical opening) and a placenta lower than where it should be, plus other abnormal ways the placenta can attach to the uterus (like placenta accreta), will be diagnosed.

Finding these issues early is key to preventing problems later in the pregnancy or at the time of delivery.

Diagnosis of congenital abnormalities

This relates to anomalies of the physical organs or body structures.

They can include abnormalities of the brain and spine, such as hydrocephalus and spina bifida, heart defects such as ventricular septal defects and a hypoplastic heart, facial anomalies, cleft lip or palate, problems with kidney morphology, irregularities in limbs, and defects in the abdominal wall, including gastroschisis as well as omphalocele.

Assessing the growth and development of the fetus

An anomaly scan evaluates essential parts of the baby, such as the abdomen, head, heart, kidneys, etc. Measurements are taken during the scan and used to calculate the fetus’s age, weight, and growth.

The scan also helps identify potential dysfunctionalities, such as overgrowth or restricted growth.

Optional determination of gender

An anomaly scan can be used to determine the gender of the baby with the consent of the parents.

Conclusion

An anomaly scan is essential during pregnancy as it provides a detailed overview of the development of the baby’s organs and internal structures, detecting possible abnormalities.

It can help both doctors and patients better understand the overall health situation and prepare for upcoming challenges. The anomaly scan assists in the timely and safe administration of the baby’s health during pregnancy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What can be detected in an anomaly scan?

Anomaly scan can detect the following abnormalities:

• Cleft lip and palate
• Anencephaly
• Gatroschisis
• Open spina bifida
• Cardiac abnormalities

Is an anomaly scan painful?

No, it is not painful; however, in order to obtain a clear image, the sonologist may apply slight pressure to your abdomen, which could cause some discomfort.

How long does the anomaly scan procedure take?

The anomaly scan procedure can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour.